Murray State University Athletics
MSU Athletics celebrates Women's History Month
2/28/2021 11:51:00 PM | Newsletter
Since 1995, March has been recognized as Women's History Month. The month of March celebrate women's contributions to history, culture, and society.
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"Sports provide many positive aspects for girls and women and it is nice to have a day to recognize the involvement of girls and women in sports. It is important to celebrate this day because sports participation for women was not always available," said Senior Women's Administrator and Head Women's Golf Coach, Velvet Milkman. "On this day we need to remember and honor the pioneers that came before us and paved the way for us to be able to participate in the sports we love. This is a day to celebrate and recognize how the opportunities for girls and women have increased significantly over the years."
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Murray State Athletics was ahead of their time, sponsoring their first women's team, women's basketball, in 1928. During the team's four seasons, they went 22-14-2 and were invited to participate in the national AAU tournament in 1932. The Racer's first head coach was Carrie Allison.
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After 25 years without a women's sport team, the Murray State Rifle team began including women on the team in 1956-57.
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It wasn't until 1967-68 when the first two women's teams were established. Women's track & field and women's tennis. The women's track & field team was coached by Margret Simmons and women's tennis by Nita Head.
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Murray State Women's Sports History
The Trailblazers of MSU Women's Sports
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"Sports provide many positive aspects for girls and women and it is nice to have a day to recognize the involvement of girls and women in sports. It is important to celebrate this day because sports participation for women was not always available," said Senior Women's Administrator and Head Women's Golf Coach, Velvet Milkman. "On this day we need to remember and honor the pioneers that came before us and paved the way for us to be able to participate in the sports we love. This is a day to celebrate and recognize how the opportunities for girls and women have increased significantly over the years."
Â
Murray State Athletics was ahead of their time, sponsoring their first women's team, women's basketball, in 1928. During the team's four seasons, they went 22-14-2 and were invited to participate in the national AAU tournament in 1932. The Racer's first head coach was Carrie Allison.
Â
After 25 years without a women's sport team, the Murray State Rifle team began including women on the team in 1956-57.
Â
It wasn't until 1967-68 when the first two women's teams were established. Women's track & field and women's tennis. The women's track & field team was coached by Margret Simmons and women's tennis by Nita Head.
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Murray State Women's Sports History
- 1967-68 : Track & Field (Margaret Simmons)
- 1967-68 : Tennis (Nita Head)
- 1970-71 : Cross Country (Margaret Simmons)
- 1983-84 : Volleyball (Kerry Garrels)
- 1993-94 : Golf (Velvet Milkman)
- 1996-97 : Rowing (Jenny Hengehold)
- 2000-01 : Soccer (Mike Menneli)
- 2009-10 : Softball (Jay Pyron – Current head coach, Kara Amundson was asst coach)
The Trailblazers of MSU Women's Sports
- First Female Athletes: Members of 1928 Women's Basketball Team
- First Female Head Coach: 1928: Carrie Allison, Basketball
- First Female Scholarships Athlete: 1967: Lisa Moore, Track & Field
- First African American Athletes: 1968: Carla Coffey, Sandy Grimes, Sheila Hampton and Diana Warner: Track & Field
- First OVC Championship: 1980: Women's Cross Country
- First Female Athletic Administrator: 1991: Margaret Simmons
- 7 year OVC Championship Winning Streak: 1994-2000: Rifle
- First Female African American Head Coach: 2003: Joi Williams, Basketball
- 4 year OVC Championship Winning Streak: 2015-2018: Soccer
- First Female in OVC History to Win 4 Individual OVC Championships in Four Consecutive Years: 2019: Tamdra Lawrence (100m) – 9x OVC Champion
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Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
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Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
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Indiana State VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
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